Russia’s Defense Ministry says that the Gravely breached international navigation safety rules by coming dangerously close to the YaroslavMudry. The destroyer supposedly approached alongside the Russian frigate while in international waters, then cut across its bow at a distance of about a ship’s length. Russia says that the YaroslavMudry did not deviate in course or engage in maneuvering with the US destroyer.

Mil.ru/wikicommons

Neustrashimy class frigate of which only two exist.

In particular, Russia says that the Gravely violated International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea on two counts. First, the ship did not adhere to Rule 13, which states an overtaking vessel needs to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. According to Russia, the Gravely also broke Rule 15, which dictates that a vessel on the starboard side must yield and not cross ahead of another ship.

The War Zone predicted that Russia would respond directly to the presence of a Carrier Strike Group executing air strikes from the eastern Mediterranean, and we are likely seeing it in these acts. The Yaroslav Mudry, which is part of the Baltic Fleet, was supposedly sent into the med to bolster Syria’s flotilla operating near Syria. This group of ships has ranged from a hodgepodge of amphibious ships and corvettes to one made up of frigates and a Slava class cruiser in the recent past.

We still don't know the US Navy's side of the story. Was the Gravely trying to head-off the Russian frigate for a certain reason? What were radio communications like if there were any at all? Hopefully the USN will respond to Russia's claims surrounding this incident quickly. We will keep you informed as more information comes available.